Rule 2: Declaring More Plainly the Nature of Temperance

2 Declaring more plainlie the nature of temperance.

All these must be sanctified by the word, with prayer before, and thanksgiving after, yes so used, as every one do it to the glory of God, without offence, and keep himself within his calling: as for the first part, the Apostle says (1 Timothy 4:4-5), "For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer." Whereby we gather, if meat and drink, and the use of marriage, must be sanctified with the word of God and prayer, much more recreations, which are not of that necessity with the other, and whereby we are more in danger to fall into abuse, especially the sober minded, who will not lightly abuse the creatures of meat and drink. For the second part he says (1 Corinthians 10:31), "Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God: give no offence, neither to the Jew nor to the Grecian, nor to the Church of God." And again, the apparel even of women, must be such as becomes godliness (Titus 2; 1 Timothy 2:10). Much more must the same be understood of recreations, as both the nature of them compared with the nature of meat and drink (more necessary than recreations) and his general words, whatever, do convince.